Dynamic Redundancy Configuration for Availability and Resource Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing redundant technical systems incur unnecessary resource consumption and costs due to continuous operation of secondary systems, which often fail soon after taking over primary tasks, and fail to adapt to varying application requirements.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method determines an optimal configuration for a technical system by evaluating predefined requirements and failure risks, considering sustainability criteria like resource consumption and carbon footprint, to dynamically select redundancy levels based on specific conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a redundant technical system with continuous operation of secondary system is used, then availability and reliability are increased, but resource consumption and operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic configuration adjustment where the redundancy level of the technical system is not fixed but can be changed based on current operating conditions. The system evaluates multiple configurations and selects the optimal one by weighing availability requirements against resource consumption, allowing the secondary system to be activated or deactivated dynamically rather than operating continuously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of redundancy level from a static state to a variable state. By evaluating different configurations with varying degrees of redundancy and selecting based on current needs, the system adjusts the redundancy parameter dynamically to match actual availability requirements while reducing unnecessary resource consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If additional redundant system components are used to counteract uniform wear, then service life is extended, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary evaluation of multiple configurations before selecting the optimal one. By assessing wear patterns, availability requirements, and resource constraints in advance, the system determines the appropriate redundancy level and configuration before implementation, avoiding unnecessary complexity while ensuring adequate service life extension

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial redundancy rather than full redundancy in all scenarios. By evaluating whether complete redundancy is necessary or if partial redundancy suffices based on current operating conditions and wear patterns, the system achieves service life extension with reduced system complexity and lower costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If redundant system is maintained during periods when not consistently required, then availability is ensured, but unnecessary costs and resource consumption arise

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidunnecessary resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic evaluation of configuration requirements where the system reassesses whether redundancy is needed at scheduled intervals or based on event triggers. This allows the system to maintain redundancy only during periods when it is actually required, switching to lower redundancy modes during periods when availability requirements are reduced, thereby eliminating unnecessary resource consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4603978A1Computer-implemented method for determining at least one configuration from a plurality of configurations for a technical system
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SIEMENS AG
  • EP4603978A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4603978A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4603978A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for determining at least one configuration from a plurality of configurations for a technical system, wherein the technical system has a plurality of hardware components and/or software components, the plurality of configurations has at least one configuration for a redundant technical system, wherein the redundant technical system has a primary system and at least one secondary system as at least one instance of the primary system, comprising the steps: a. providing at least one condition (S1); b. evaluating at least one predefined requirement for each configuration of the plurality of configurations (S2); c. evaluating at least one failure risk of the technical system for each configuration of the plurality of configurations (S3); and d.Determining the at least one configuration from the plurality of configurations based on the at least one assessed requirement and the at least one assessed failure risk, while adhering to the at least one condition and taking into account at least one predefined criterion (S4); and e. Providing the determined at least one configuration as the optimal configuration (S5). Furthermore, the invention relates to a technical system and a corresponding computer program product.